Kazakhstan: A tragic plane crash near the Kazakh city of Aktau has claimed dozens of lives, with initial reports indicating around 30 survivors among the approximately 70 people on board. The Azerbaijan Airlines flight J2-8243, an Embraer 190, was en route from Baku, Azerbaijan, to Grozny, Russia, when it was diverted due to heavy fog.
The aircraft, carrying mostly Azerbaijani nationals alongside passengers from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, attempted an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from Aktau. The landing gear was deployed, but the plane reportedly caught fire and split apart upon impact, as captured in dramatic footage.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed that the plane took off from Baku at 03:55 GMT on Wednesday and crashed at approximately 06:28 GMT. Conflicting accounts of the passenger count have emerged, with the airline stating there were 62 passengers and 5 crew members, while other reports suggest up to 72 people were aboard.
Authorities from Azerbaijan confirmed at least 30 survivors, but the exact number remains unclear, with estimates ranging from 28 to 32. Eyewitnesses and unverified footage showed injured survivors crawling from the wreckage as emergency services extinguished the fire and combed through debris.
Russian media suggested the crash may have been caused by a collision with a flock of birds, although this remains unconfirmed. Investigations by authorities in both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are underway to determine the cause of the accident.
The Embraer 190, manufactured by Brazilian aerospace company Embraer, has a solid safety record. The company stated that it is ready to assist authorities in their investigations. Azerbaijan Airlines has yet to release a comprehensive statement.
